The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Proceedings
There was none. The president called for the vote, the motion carried and R-1a was
adopted as amended by the Committee.
Mr. Hobson noted that R-2 had been combined with R-9, and would be introduced later.
Mr. Hobson introduced R-3s regarding inclusiveness in ordained ministry, and moved
the substitute for referral to the Windsor Dialogue Commission. The president called
for discussion.
The president recognized the Rev. Jim Papile, St. Anne’s, Reston. Mr. Papile spoke in favor
of the resolution and commended the Committee. He commended the R-5 Commission,
and said that he believed there is an emerging consensus. He commended the level of
attention and new level of intensive listening by those who participated in the debate
and the committee’s work. He did notice a language of fear during the hearing. Mr.
Papile said there is no room for a sense of fear. He embraced the idea of town meetings
and commended them to the Diocese. He also embraced the idea of a coming emerging
consensus that would point us to the way of God’s love.
The president recognized Mr. John Ausink, Christ Church, Alexandria, who spoke in
opposition to the resolution as a matter of process, not with any hostility. He felt that
the R-5 Commission should first determine whether a consensus had emerged before
addressing the question of ordination. He said we must first question the appropriateness
of same-sex blessings themselves before questioning ordination. He felt the resolution
might not be appropriate because the concept is being addressed by the R-5 Commission.
The president recognized the Rev. Vincent Hodge, Grace, Miller’s Tavern, who felt that
since the Commonwealth does not allow a civil marriage, he found it inappropriate to
support this resolution.
The president recognized Mr. Charlie Sowell, St. Anne’s, Reston who voiced gratefulness
for separation of church and state so we don’t have to worry about these types of issues.
The president recognized the Rev. Bob Friend, All Saint’s, Richmond, who asked if the
substitute was rejected, would the original be on the floor The president said no.
The president recognized the Rev. Tom Holliday, retired, who noted that part of debate
is about whether the Episcopal Church should be excluded from Anglican Communion.
He said that if Jesus Christ had considered if he would be excluded from Judaism, we
wouldn’t have a Christianity today.
There was no further discussion. The president called for the vote. The motion was
carried and R-3s was referred to the Windsor Dialogue Commission.
Mr. Hobson introduced R-4 regarding the Hispanic/Latino ministry and moved for its
adoption as submitted.
The president called for discussion. There was none.
The president called for the vote. The motion was carried and R-4 was adopted.
Mr. Hobson introduced R-5a regarding Native Americans in Virginia, and moved for its
adoption with additions of senators’ names into the original.
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The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council